b'OPERATIONS43Group Effort If and when there is a change in policyInvolving employees also helps eliminate Intended to be designed andor procedure, everyone has access tothe informational silos that often exist in developed by members of an operatorsthe documented risk assessment andorganizations. For example, risk assessments organization, FAA advises an SMSmitigation strategies. The same is trueand mitigation measures often involve more should be integrated into operations andwhen something different, such as athan one department. SMS brings people business decision-making processes asnew aircraft, is introduced.together as a function or processto create well as assist an organizations leadershipElstad notes that many of thecross-pollination of all the departments working and employees in making effective andprocesses and procedures Republictogether, he explains. informed safety decisions.had in place fit directly into the SMSThe key is getting all employees involved, FAA advises operators to integrateframework; they just hadnt beenagrees Paul. Creating variety on committees to an SMS into their daily functions anddocumented or presented in thatshare information and encouragement, not to business decision-making processes. Itmanner. I think airports will find that asmention positive feedback from management, should also be used to help leadershipwell, he predicts. A lot of things theyshould not be discounted, he adds.and employees make effective anddo today already meet the SMS criteria. informed safety decisions.They dont have to reinvent the wheel.Elstad notes that SMS training is important Morell agrees that the SMS processto ensure that all members of an organization SMS is entrenched in safety culture,understand and embrace the process. says Elstad. Safety is a core value forlooked complicated at first, but many the organization and is part of how theof the requirements were alreadyImportantly, SMS provides an opportunity to business is run.being met through existing practicesbe proactive instead of reactive when it comes and just needed to be adapted andto hazards and risks. That said, an SMS does not have toformalized under SMS. We looked at be large, complex or expensive to addthe big picture and took an inventory ofTech Toolvalue. The important factors are activeeverything we were doing and saw howAs SMS matured, the question was askedinvolvement from operational leaders,it fit into the concept of SMS, he says. as it often isif technology could streamline open lines of communication, vigilancethe associated data collection and reporting in looking for new applications andA lot of airlinesfunctions. ensuring employees understand thatwere familiar with the safety is an essential part of their jobSMS process andBecause documentation is such an integral performance. had the mechanismspart of SMS, having a software system that in place, agreesspeaks SMS is invaluable, says Elstad. Republic began the process withGeorge Paul,Republic Airways and a consortium of airlines six certificates under its umbrella. Thevice president of carrier first reduced them to three, andTechnical Services atGEORGE PAULultimately merged its three certificatesNACA. Then it was into one. The best part of that was asjust a matter of modifying to make sure we merged our certificates into eachthey meet all the intentions of the rule. other, we were able to go through every procedure and do a mini riskOne department at a time, US Airways assessmentusing the SMS process built its SMS program collaboratively. to decide which procedure was best,The Safety Department acted as adopt it and go, Elstad states.facilitators, and each department was able to use the prior departments Working as a cohesive team, thetemplate as a starting point. Morell notes carrier reviewed and evaluated itsthat an all-hands-on-deck approach was entire 58-volume manual system; andextremely important for perpetuating six years to the day, FAA accepteda safety-minded culture and ensuring Republics SMS. It was customized byorganizational buy-in. Employees and total immersion into the process, recallsmanagement feel they are going to get Elstad. That, in turn, led to systemwidea benefit from this and its going to be adoption and acceptance, plus all of thea tool that helps them succeed, he expectations that go with it, he adds.observes. Thats important.The framework of an SMSMorell emphasizes the need to involve encourages regulatory compliance,employees in the process and foster a better use of resources and holisticsense of ownership. He suggests letting responsibility for safety. The biggeststaff members at all levels know they are thing is that theres a consistency inessential to the success of SMS, and how the business is run, Elstad says.they can make a difference.AirportImprovement.comMay | June 2024'